By Katlego Rammusa:
Imagine your favourite soccer team keeps on losing – what happens to the supporters?
They lose hope, and they get demoralised. However, when the same team wins, they become happy and rejoice – that is what brands should do, they should keep on winning because winning creates visibility, visibility creates credibility, and credibility creates more opportunities, which means more revenue. Your brand is your money-making machine.
This makes me to reminisce about a time on 17 December 2025 at Jack Botes Hall in Polokwane, when I won the Best Community Developer Award at the MIA AWARDS.
The MIA-CWLA, established in 2022 by Prof Issac Monyela, celebrates innovation, storytelling and excellence within South Africa’s creative industries. The awards feature trailblazers across Literature, Music, Acting, Fashion, Community Development, Entrepreneurship, and more. Among these cultural changemakers, my name stood out as a powerful symbol of creativity, discipline and artistic impact.
As a rising creative voice, I am a gifted South African poet, storyteller, community educator and creative thinker whose work has captured the attention of readers, audiences, and industry figures alike. Known for my deeply expressive writing style, I explore themes of identity, resilience, community, religion and the lived African experience.
My journey reflects the true spirit of the MIA Awards. Honouring individuals who rise through talent, originality, and purpose, regardless of traditional academic pathways. My creative contributions extend beyond writing: I am also involved in youth development, cultural expression initiatives, and artistic advocacy, making myself one of the most promising literary figures and community developers for this generation and generations to come.
My win affirms my growing influence and the positive impact my work continues to make within South Africa’s storytelling landscape and community development.
About the MIA–Creative Writing & Literature Awards:
The MIA-CWLA is rooted in the research project “Academics versus Non-Academics” conducted between 2016 and 2017 by researcher Prof Isaac Monyela. The study highlighted how many of South Africa’s most successful creatives — including musicians like Black Coffee, Cassper Nyovest, Makhadzi, Master KG, Pleasure Tsa Manyalo, and others built their careers through talent and creativity rather than formal qualifications.
This research concluded that creative writing is the foundation of all creative industries — from music and acting to news production, education, entrepreneurship, and digital content creation. The awards were first hosted in 2022 at Apollo Hotel, Randburg, Johannsburg, celebrating 23 winners, 45 nominees, and 15 Chairman’s Special Awardees across creative fields.
A Milestone Moment for Me
My win marked a significant achievement in the creative journey and positioned me among South Africa’s most promising literary voices and community developers. Obtaining an accolade at the MIA-CWLA honours not only my talent, however, also the growing recognition of young, ambitious people who are making and shaping the nation’s cultural landscape. The MIA-CWLA team congratulates and celebrates me on contribution in building and growing the South Africa of my dreams.
What the Limpopo Edition included:
It was the most impactful yet, bringing together creators, thinkers, authors, musicians, academics, kings, queens, entrepreneurs, and emerging talents.
Key sessions included:
Thought Leadership & Entrepreneurship
Mental Health in Creative Spaces
Book Adaptation, Film & TV Production
Music Professionalism & Personal Branding – @NewsSA_Online
Follow us on our social media platforms below: